Illinois National Guard General Visits Troops in Jordan

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Photo A

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/25/2018) (readMedia)-- AMMAN, JORDAN – Army Maj. Gen. Michael R. Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, the commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, visited Illinois National Guard and Jordan Armed Forces Soldiers participating in exercise Eager Lion 18, on April 18.

During his visit, Zerbonia discussed the importance of partnerships and joint exercises like Eager Lion.

"In the future, it's not going to be one army doing things," he said. "It's important to build these relationships and inter-operability now."

Nearly 50 Illinois National Guard Soldiers, as well as more than 3,500 additional U.S. Service members are training with Jordan Armed Forces in the two-week JAF led bilateral exercise.

Zerbonia said his first experience working with the JAF was four years ago at an earlier Eager Lion rotation.

"They are great soldiers," said Zerbonia. "It makes me feel good to know that if we ever need them, they will be there to stand beside us."

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at

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Photo A:

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jorge Fonseca, the Exercise Eager Lion 18 HICON U.S. Intelligence Officer, updates U.S. Maj. Gen. Michael R. Zerbonia, commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, on his involvement in the exercise during Zerbonia's visit to the Joint Training Center near Amman, Jordan, April 18. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick J. DeGeorge, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Photo B:

Jordan Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Azzam Irshid Rashid discusses HICON operations during exercise Eager Lion 18 with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael R. Zerbonia, the commander of the Illinois National Guard, during Zerbonia's visit to the exercise April 18. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick J. DeGeorge, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)